Tanguay, Flames far apart in talks

With just days remaining in the countdown to the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and fewer than two weeks left before the free-agent free-for-all, Flames GM Jay Feaster had disappointing news for those hoping to see Alex Tanguay back in Calgary colours for next season.

Negotiations are ongoing, but there apparently are large differences in opinions when it comes to terms between the club and the player who posted 69 points in his return to the Flames last season.

“It’s money,” Feaster said Monday in a prelude to a hectic week that will involve discussions with and about his own pending restricted and unrestricted free agents, interviews for a head coach for the farm team, the expected hiring of an assistant GM and, of course, the weekend’s draft proceedings in St. Paul, Minn.

But the rest of the tasks at hand take a brief backseat when the name Tanguay is mentioned in a scrum with reporters.

They all chuckled at the moment of honesty from Feaster when addressing the disagreement with the left-winger who will no doubt earn a massive raise over the US$1.7 million he earned with the Flames last season after returning to form following a tough campaign with the Tampa Bay Lightning the previous campaign.

But the Flames don’t seem willing to cave on demands that may be too high for a team desperate to shed salary.

Still, Feaster is hopeful the dynamic playmaker, who has proven to be a great flanker opposite captain Jarome Iginla, will return to the Flames.

“Well, I’d like to think we can (sign him). But we’re not where we need to be, and there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Feaster said. “We’ll have to see where it goes.

“I think the fact we’re talking is a good thing.”

They’d prefer to have things wrapped up heading into the weekend’s draft, which, as things stand currenlty, will see the Flames pick five players — three among the first 57 selections.

It’s going to be a busy time even if the team doesn’t make any other roster moves. And a trade is a very real possibility.

Feaster admits he’s talked to other league GMs about either moving up or down in the first round from their No. 13 spot.

They could land more picks, or give up their own to grab a player they covet.

The Flames could also afford to lose a body or three off the active roster with little breathing room even under the projected salary cap of $64 million for the upcoming season.

“It’s still very tight. It’s a reality of where we are, and it’s a reality of where we were last year,” said Feaster, adding his club lived in the realm of long-term injuries last season. “Despite what we’re hearing what the cap’s going to be, we still have some work to do.

“We have to see if we have any partners for some of the guys that we’d be willing to move.”

If not, there’s more time to wheel and deal this summer. However, there are other pressing needs.

Feaster has put in an assistant GM recommendation to Flames president Ken King and the ownership group and expects to announce a hiring while in St. Paul this week. He will also be interviewing head coaching candidates for the Abbotsford Heat to replace Jim Playfair, who left his post last week to join the Phoenix Coyotes as an associate coach.

And with the Flames facing a rocky reputation over the last decade at the draft, there’s the pressure of picking wisely, as well.

“It better work,” Feaster said with a laugh. “That’s what I told (director of scouting) Tod (Button). ‘This is a real important draft for you — this is a real important draft for me.’”